Page 37 of College-Virgin & Dark Bully Next-Door

“For what?”

“Finally standing up to that dick, duh,” she replies. “I still hate how he got away with murder. His asshole brother, too. I’m just glad you gave him a piece of that don’t-fuck-with-me attitude I know you have.”

I shrug, my feet skimming the leaves on the forest floor as we trudge along. “Honestly, I was being nice. I could have really gone for his ego, a.k.a. his dick size.” I haven’t forgotten when he used to run around naked as a seven-year-old.

“Oh, that would’ve been a solid blow,” Bonnie guffaws. “Next time, be sure to use that material.”

“For his sake, I hope there won’t be a next time. Enough about Peter, anyway. I need to catch some butterflies for pinning. I almost have my collection done.”

“Eew,” she complains. “I can’t believe you murder them like that.”

“It’s okay. I usually look for dead ones, but otherwise, they don’t live long.” I explain the whole process.

“The man who steals your heart has an uphill battle, Sky.”

“Huh?”

“Trying to fend off all that sexy talk about pinning and whatnot.” She giggles.

I realize she’s teasing me when she kisses my cheek and waves at me, getting in her car and heading home. I look at my basically empty house and sigh before taking off my T-shirt and heading right back to the pool. I kick my feet in the water.

It’s not that weird to collect bugs, is it? I could collect worse things. Like tattoos or men, or … or other things. I kick my foot harder, and my heel hits the wall, making me flinch.

At least I get a whole day without Ash. I still have plenty to think of when it comes to him, and I don’t have the faintest idea where to start. I know he’s texted me twice, but I’m sure he doesn’t remember last night anyway.

Still, I look at my phone as I get in bed and see him saying the exact opposite. And encouraging me to take advantage of him next time.

There won’t be a next time. I’ll just let my brother find him instead.

I try to make the next day just as Ash-free so I try to figure things out. After being home alone for hours, done with cleaning up and cooking, too bored to even watch TV, my dad comes in. He grumbles about a hard day and goes right to bed without even stopping to eat the dinner I prepared, or to even check on me.

I curl around a pillow. Dad’s misery is exactly why I have to keep my distance from Ash. He’ll make me need him, want his company, then ask me to change my life for him, little bits at a time, until he’s everything to me, and I can’t allow that. Hell no. Like Mom, he’s going to break my heart, too.

After another hour and a text from my brother saying he’s not coming home, I feel cold in a way that blankets can’t seem to fix. The movies just make it worse, seeing people who would kill for each other, die for each other and everything in between …

I text Ash.I’m bored.

He replies almost at once.I can fix that. I just need a yes, please.

Me:I don’t do please.

Ash:Why is hatred so hot on you?

Why isthisthe guy I can’t get out of my head? That stupid, needy side of me is in control and wants his attention. I almost invite him over, but then I throw myself in the pool. My new bikinis might as well get some use. After a thorough swim, I head upstairs to get changed.

Bikinis look good, too.

I read his text and look out the window to find him watching, reclining on his bed with a sexy smirk, shirtless, gorgeous, and entirely focused on me.

Restraint. It’s best for both of us. It is. I know that, but damn, I’m so tired of being good, of doing what I’m supposed to do. So I undo the top of my bikini while watching Ash.

He stands up and braces himself against the window. I undo the other clasp and make sure my hair is covering my breasts before letting my bikini fall to the floor. My phone vibrates angrily on my dresser, and I pick it up without looking away from Ash.

His voice is husky and hot, pricking every nerve across my skin. “What are you doing?”

“Whatever the fuck I want.”

Chapter 11

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